HELP! I’ve Been In A Car Accident In Florida… Now What?

Car accidents are stressful and chaotic, often involving raised voices and tempers. If you are reading this after one, or get into one in the future, this article can help guide you through the aftermath of the accident and/or injury. It includes guidance on…

• When and who to call after a car accident in Florida.
• How to acquire important details like police reports which you will need later.
• How to deal with emergency services and police after an accident on Florida roadways.

Starting with the most important and immediate action you should take after a car accident with or without injuries.

Should I Call 911 After A Car Accident Involving Injuries In Florida?

As a general rule, yes, you should call 911 after any accident, especially those involving injuries. Calling 911 after a car wreck helps establish that the accident happened and documents that it took place, as well as confirms officially who was involved.

Later on, if you wish to sue for damages, these police observations will help your attorney begin representing you for your auto accident. Additionally, if you call upon the Fenstersheib Law Group, P.A. for your representation, we have a free Tell Robert phone app. This app helps you keep track of all the important and necessary facts about your accident to help you get compensated for your injuries.

What Should I Do While Waiting For Emergency Services To Arrive?

One of the most important things to do is to get a lot of photos of the damage to your vehicle and to any other vehicles involved, as well as exchange some basic information like insurance providers with other drivers.

In addition to taking photos of the other vehicle and your vehicle, it also helps to take pictures of the surrounding area to establish how the accident happened. Gathering witness contact information can be helpful, especially if any come forward or volunteer.

Is It Important To Obtain A Police Report After Being Injured In A Car Wreck Caused By Another Driver?

Ensuring the police make a report of the accident is almost always a good idea. The police report is critical in showing who is at fault and can have a big impact on any later personal injury case.

How Do I Go About Getting A Copy Of The Police Report After A Car Wreck?

You do not need to obtain this report yourself. Your auto accident attorney can and will get the police report for you.

If you do wish to obtain it, however, you can. You can do this by either showing up at the police station in person and requesting it, or going online through the police department’s website and ordering it via a public records request.

What Sort Of Details And Information Will My Personal Injury Attorney Be Looking For In A Police Report Related To A Car Accident?

There are several important facts inside the police report that an attorney will look for, some of which might not seem significant at first.

First, they will look for the vehicles involved and what number they have been assigned in the police report. Most likely when a vehicle is listed as vehicle one, it means that they were at fault even if they were not cited.

Another set of key elements will be any witnesses listed as well as the property damage listed. Sometimes this will also include a diagram of how the accident happened. These will not always be accurate however so it is important to review them.

Police reports are often very precise and an attorney can easily compare how the property damage on the car lines up with the client or other drivers’ statements of how it happened to see if there are any inconsistencies.

A final important aspect is the date and time that is listed in the police report because there is a big difference between an accident that happened at two in the morning and two in the afternoon.

Can A Police Report Be Used As Evidence In A Personal Injury Claim Resulting From A Car Wreck?

When bringing forward a claim, there are two possible stages, the last of which is going to trial.

When submitting evidence in a trial, a police report cannot be used under Florida Statute 316.0664. In Florida, accident reports are not admissible as evidence in any trial, civil or criminal, nor are any statements made by the participants in the accidents to the police officer investigating the accident.

However, before going to trial, the insurance adjuster for either insurance company will absolutely use the evidence of a police report to determine liability and whether or not they are going to accept liability or deny it.

What Information Should I Provide The Police At The Scene Of A Car Accident Where I Was Injured?

You should always provide the police with your driver’s license and proof of insurance. You probably should not provide them with any additional information other than what they ask, and do not elaborate more than just letting them know what happened.

This information will not be used against you in a trial, so it’s better to let them know what happened from your point of view while also not harmful to not say anything.

Now that you know what to do in the immediate aftermath of your injury at the scene, it is time to call a personal injury lawyer to begin the process of building a personal injury claim to recover compensation and cover your medical bills.

For more information on Filing An Auto Accident Injury Claim In Florida, a free initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling Fenstersheib Law Group, P.A. 24/7 at 954-456-2488 today.